In a world that often rushes past quiet acts of grace, Ms. Alma Alost stands as a beacon of Southern elegance and unwavering poise. With a quick wit, radiant intelligence, and a smile that warms every room she enters, Alma has devoted herself to preserving the values she holds so dear. By serving others with a heart as beautiful as her spirit. Her legacy is not just in the lives she has touched—but in the way she has made everyone feel seen, valued, and loved.
Growing up in Tensas Parish, Alma Rabb…was born in Waterproof, La. The only girl in a family of six siblings, she became a cherished addition within the gang of five brothers. Though she credits her mother as an outstanding homemaker and one who taught Alma lifelong skills, it was her father who truly was influential in developing Alma’s love of preservation and lifelong learning.
Ironically, as formal education at the time was extremely limited, her father was only able to finish through the eighth grade. But as a man of varied interests, he educated himself in farming, ranching, designing and building homes, churches, woodworking, and became the School Building Supervisor for the parish. This intense desire to learn lead him to purchase the first set of encyclopedias in his community, which he shared with students and families alike. This became a sense of pride for everyone in this rural farming community.
Inspired as a young girl to learn all she could, Alma loved to read and developed a keen creative imagination, composing “make-believe” travel stories about “seeing the world.” Later in life, travel became a reality. The sights and experiences of seeing historical buildings, cathedrals, and homes made a vast collection of memories while deepening Alma’s appreciation for preservation.
Likewise, this strong family appreciation for the importance of education, would inspire 4 of her 5 brothers to go on to Northwestern State College: with the 4th brother remaining in Tensas Parish farming with his adult son, whose skills in farming would eventually lead him to receive the honor of “Louisiana Farmer of the Year”.
From an early age, Alma dreamed of becoming a teacher. She would often “practice” classroom activities at home with her younger brothers being her students. Then in 1953, she enrolled at Northwestern State College, majoring in Elementary Education. While there, Alma met fellow student Robert Alost, and she and Bob married spending their senior year living in the Vet Town apartments. After completing her practice teaching at the Warren Easton Elementary Laboratory School, Alma graduated in 1957, with her BA degree.
Another journey had begun.
While Bob was completing his master’s degree, Alma began working downtown Natchitoches as a business assistant, and gave birth to their first son, Michael. After graduating, they moved to El Paso, Texas, for Bob to fulfill his ROTC commitment and there a second son, Stan, was born. Then after the military tour, it was back to Louisiana, Baton Rouge, and LSU, where Bob finished his doctorate degree.
There Alma worked in the LSU library while collecting research materials and finally typing Bob’s dissertation.
After LSU graduation, the family returned to Natchitoches and Northwestern. For two years she worked at the First Baptist Church Kindergarten, while completing her own Kindergarten certification and master’s degree plus 30 hours. Through taking extra electives in the Home Economics Department, Alma developed a sincere respect and an even deeper appreciation for the significance of historic preservation.
For the next 20 years, Alma concentrated on becoming a masterful teacher. During that time, she spent 8 years developing Northwestern’s first All-Day Kindergarten for the Lab School and then 12 years teaching second grade. Her prowess as a superb reading teacher became well known and she was praised for her mild inviting manner, graceful demeanor, and superb classroom skills. All of this she did while continuing to raise a family, which then included a third young son, Wes.
Then in 1986, Bob was elected President of NSU, and Alma took on the role of First Lady. Because of continual budget cuts, Northwestern was facing financial insecurities. Enrollment was down and faculty were under appreciated. The campus and its buildings had aged and in need of repair. Alma wanted to be of help in restoring and preserving its beauty.
With little budget, Alma began to refurbish the President’s Home. Her first step was to inventory campus warehouses and see if they housed old furnishings which might be of use in the President’s Home. There she found antique pieces which had once graced Varnado Hall in the early 1930s. She identified those which were usable and could be refurbished. Campus carpenters then helped in the restoration.
Knowing how important appearances were to prospective students and their families, a landscaping beautification plan was needed. A professional ground- keeper and assistant were hired, and they invited Alma to give input, and suggestions of areas where plants and trees might enhance the grounds’ appearances.
The Natchitoches community also benefited from Alma’s presence. Her charming ways gave NSU a “touch of class.” Knowing the Natchitoches community was feeling the strain as well, Alma sought to bridge the gap between local institutions and their faith in the university being able to maintain its financial obligations and its word. Determined to improve relationships, Alma invited the community to join faculty gatherings. Especially at Christmas time, she opened the president’s house to the community where her Southern charm and gracious hosting skills were a huge boost to the University environment.
Not only did she host gatherings for the Board of Trustees, but also university presidents, state governors, international celebrities, and campus guest.
Her goal was to restore and preserve the grand history of Northwestern. Together for the next ten years, the Alost’ lead the university to an unprecedented period of growth. In their ten years of service, Northwestern enrollment increased from 5,272 to more than 9,000.
Dr. Alost’ retirement from the NSU presidency in 1996 opened new venues for Alma to become more active in community activities, and Historic preservation became the benefactor of her talents. From 2001 to 2021, Alma served on the APHN Board of Directors, as its Recording Secretary. Serving through the tenures of five APHN presidents, Alma recorded the minutes of every Board meeting for twenty years. A truly dependable and faithful member, Alma took part in every aspect of coordinating and assisting others in organizing APHN events: the Annual Natchitoches Tours of Homes, the Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival, the Children’s Third Grade Historic Walking Tours, and the Fifth Grade Clementine Hunter Days.
In conclusion, Alma is for all of us who have known and worked beside her, the example of Southern Ladyship we all wish we could obtain. And though today Alma’s lifestyle may have slowed down just a bit, her love for her family, her involvement in her church and community, has prevailed. This mother of three outstanding men and their wonderful wives, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren (with another grand on the way), still hosts them at her home regularly. Her grace and charm have never faded.
Truthfully, her influence radiates through the halls of Northwestern State University, Melrose and the Lemee House, the homes and hearts of the Natchitoches community, and the generations of students who learned to love reading under her gentle guidance. Whether restoring antique furniture, hosting dignitaries, or organizing walking tours for third graders, Alma approaches every task with the same thoughtful care and dignity.
To know Alma Alost is to witness the quiet strength of a true preservationist…a Steel Magnolia: resilient, refined, and rooted in love.
(Vicki Payne Parrish, APHN, 2025)